Jay Morie of Vineland, director of community affairs for Magic Sports Complex of New Jersey, talks to Joe Rehm, senior vice president of Capital Bank. / Staff photo/Cody Glenn

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Ron Nametko, president/founder of Magic Sports Complex of New Jersey, talks about his plan to develop a giant sports complex in Vineland during a general membership meeting and holiday celebration hosted by the Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce held at Ramada Inn. / Staff photo/Cody Glenn

At a glance

The Vineland Zoning Board meets tonight to begin hearing a request from Magic Sports Inc. for a height use variance. The meeting, which is open to the public, is set for 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.

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VINELAND — Developers of the proposed $350 million Magic Sports Complex tried to rally the support of local business people Wednesday, promising thousands of jobs in the next two years and revenue opportunities for merchants.

Ron Nametko, the principal of Magic Sports Inc., proposed the complex on Sheridan Avenue near Lincoln Avenue in October. He told more than 100 people attending the Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Ramada Inn Wednesday that they should be excited, too.

“Magic Sports has been developed to take care of children,” said Nametko. “It’s about playing travel sports in quality places. It creates an income of $300 million a year. Do you know of what else could be on 300 acres in Vineland that would bring that income? Nothing!”

The luncheon was an opportunity to encourage attendance by chamber members at the special 7:30 p.m. Zoning Board meeting tonight. .

Magic Sports is seeking a height variance and a use variance for proposed structures on the nearly 250-acre property in South Vineland.

Land for the project has not been purchased and is contingent upon Magic Sports getting approvals. When finished, Nametko believes he can attract sports teams from around the nation and eventually create an Olympic training facility.

A separate facility, called the Magic Village, would be a home for visiting athletes. A monolithic dome would facilitate the Magic Arena with indoor track and sports fields, a dozen basketball courts, a conference center, broadcasting facilities, medical services, restaurants and food court.

A land purchase is under agreement with South Jersey Industries’ Energy and Minerals Inc. for 248.6 acres with 40 adjacent acres under agreement with local resident Jay Morie. Morie attended the chamber meeting and was introduced by Nametko as his “connection to the community.”

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Gregory B. Filipek, a principal/CEO for SORA Northeast, which is developing the project, told chamber members that Magic Sports would impact them directly — and indirectly — during the construction phases.

“We will be purchasing from local vendors,” Filipek said. “Ron said there are thousands of jobs in Phase One and that is an estimated 1,200 to 1,500 temporary construction jobs. Then there will be another 1,200 to 1,500 construction jobs created for the waterpark construction so that’s thousands of jobs in the next two to three years.”

He said the sports complex would employ 900 to 1,000 people when it opened and 700 to 750 people for the waterpark. He said Magic Sports is also developing a health component to the complex.

“We’ve met with the community college and we are working to come up with training programs,” Filipek said.

Filipek, who identified himself as being an investor in Magic Sports, said Phase One of the construction would cost $45 million and would have an impact on local businesses.

“This project affects each one of you,” Filipek said.

Chamber Executive Director Dawn Hunter said Magic Sports joined as a member in September, prior to making the announcement of their project and was very serious about their relationship with the city and business owners.

However, not everyone in attendance was sold on the concept.

Attorney Jerry Batt said he didn’t walk away with enough answers.

“I need more to convince me,” said Batt, of Lipman, Antonelli, Batt, Gilson, Rothman and Capasso. “I’m hoping it works out. I’d like to see it get off the ground.”

Gary Galloway, owner of Rental Country, asked developers where they were getting the financing for the project.

The developers said they had “secured pre-development financing,” but declined to release further details.

The second phase of the financing is “not expected to be finalized before the end of the year,” Filipek said.

Galloway recalled the excitement around the development of the New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville.

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“It was the greatest thing in the world until they went bankrupt and a lot of local dealers lost out,” he said.

Galloway said he lost money when the park entered bankruptcy. The Motorsports Park has since emerged from bankruptcy and is still in operation.

“I’m a little skeptical and we just went through this thing with the racetrack. I was one of them stuck for money,” Galloway said.

“But the way they talk, Magic Sports is a real positive thing and I’d certainly like to see it work,” he added.

Janice Jones, who is in charge of directing sales, marketing and revenue management strategies for Tower Hospitality, asked whether Magic Sports had selected a hotel operator for its park. Tower operates several hotels in the county.

Bruce Farrell, the project’s director of development, said the hotel would be privately run. “It will be similar to Great Wolf Lodge,” Farrell said of the themed hotel chain with indoor water parks.

“I commend you for your effort and there is nothing more wholesome than baseball and sports. This really entails the entire family,” Giordano said. “But remember what Gary said about the Motorsports Park. A lot of merchants and businessmen were hurt,” she said.

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